There is some evidence for statistical sex differences in temperament, ability, and interests, but they are small, and only partially due to biology. The author reviews the evidence in a rigorous but readable way, targeted toward parents who want to avoid forcing their kids into stereotypes. It's about helping raise confident girls who aren't afraid of math and kind boys who are comfortable with books. A good summary of the state of the science for non-parents as well, but it doesn't really address questions about gender identity and sexual orientation, and their biological basis, which I would have liked to read. Maybe in her next book. Excellent book! Lise Eliot does a great job at describing brain development for the layman. I use her book "What's Going on in There?" for my Infancy course and although my students groan when they realize they will be learning so much about the brain they are pleasantly surprised when they start to understand the complexity of brain plasticity. In this book the author lays out the known brain/hormonal differences between the sexes and then shows how culture exaggerates those differences to the detriment of both boys and girls. She provides helpful tips for parents and teachers to help diminish the culture expectations of boys and girls. I also enjoyed her discussion on single sex education and the cherry picking of research that individuals such as Leonard Sax use to advance their cause. Gender matters when we make it matter and it limits children to reach their full potential and interests.
science that validates my belief that there is not much actual difference between men and women
—Vadedia-Chan
I couldn't finish the book, too technical. The excerpt in Newsweek was fantastic, though...
—lori28
Informative, and, occasionally, interesting.
—jules
Very interesting reading.
—melaioy
